Stars support campaign to keep Burberry in UK

Film star Rhys Ifans and the Prince of Wales have joined the campaign to stop Burberry closing a factory in the Welsh valleys with the loss of 300 jobs.

The quintessential British label plans to outsource the work to China, leaving just one factory here. Ifans, star of Notting Hill and Twin Town, said: 'If Burberry does go ahead and close this factory, it will be a devastating blow to Rhondda valley communities.' Prince Charles, a spokesman said, is keeping abreast of developments and has asked his charity to talk to all parties.

Last September, Burberry announced it was to close its Treorchy factory in the Rhondda valley. But it has met fierce opposition from celebrities including Ioan Gruffudd, the global face of Burberry known for his roles in Titanic and Horatio Hornblower, and Charlotte Church.

Burberry workers are set to picket its Bond Street store in the run-up to Christmas as well as MPs at Westminster. Wales minister Peter Hain is meeting the company this week in a bid to halt the closure.

Burberry says it is working on a plan that would see 50 workers redeployed on a new venture and that 48 workers have already left the firm since the announcement was made. It said if the plant closes, it will still have a British presence thanks to its factory in Yorkshire, which makes the iconic Burberry trenchcoat.

On sales of £392m, Burberry made an £84m operating profit in the six months to October.